“This book tells you all you need to know about how to get on.” The Times

“Relatively few books have been written with assistant solicitors in mind, about how to succeed at the business of being a lawyer… fewer still have devised a programme for so doing that runs alongside a book. This book does both.”Law Society (The Law Management Section)

5 star rating HR Magazine

The Author

Empowering the next generation of lawyers to be business generators and visionary leaders.

“Overhaus has been there.” Managing Partner Magazine

Jennifer Overhaus has achieved what she teaches. As an experienced partner and global practice head within a top 50 global law firm, and award winning practicing lawyer for over 20 years (in leading American and UK magic circle firms) Jennifer knows what it takes to succeed… and she is passionate about sharing her knowledge with you.

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Networking tip 8: Enjoy your network

Although we are technically talking about business, the reality is that networking is about relationships, and is based upon exactly the same principles as friendship. Thus, each networking relationship will be subtly different from every other, and each person in your network will possess his own individual attributes, strengths, influence, and aura. However, each one should be someone you respect, trust, and enjoy, and the relationship, not the potential benefit, should be the driver.

The holidays: the perfect time to network

Leading up to the holidays, you’re almost certainly desperately trying to get that all-important deal done and/or simply hoping to clear your desk. But this is one of the best possible times to move away from the comfort zone of focusing on client work to expand and nurture your relationships. As people tend to be more relaxed during this time of the year, and the party season gives you lots of opportunities to “meet and greet”, take advantage of these circumstances and reach out.

Doing good—even exceptional—work is not enough

Obviously the first prerequisite for building a successful legal practice is to do good work and work hard for your clients. But, unfortunately, that’s not enough. And I still come across many young lawyers who just don’t understand this… Only yesterday, during a training course, several lawyers admitted that some of my information seemed a hard pill to swallow.

But, as with strong medicine, it’s only for your own benefit. Therefore, as an associate, beyond doing the requisite level of good work, here’s three basic things you must do (as a minimum!):

What networking ISN’T

After writing about the importance of workplace conversational skills in my last blog, I recently found myself attending an event hosted by a prominent law firm. Of course, I can’t kid myself that I was the intended audience for this festivity—in my current capacity, I am neither a client nor a potential client, and this “event” was put on solely with the intent of attracting work. But the friend I was with is a potential client, and one whom they would love to get work from….